Have you tried adding multiple photos to a post on your business’s Instagram account? Launched in 2015, Instagram (and Facebook) added the carousel feature to their social media platforms. In this article, we learn that:
- Carousel posts reach 1.4x more users than regular posts
- Carousel posts increase engagements up to 2%
- The steps for creating a successful carousel post
Just like other posts on Instagrams, users can like, comment and share carousel posts. Below, we outline how to create a carousel for your Instagram account, as well as why creating one can help diversify your business’s content.
Note: This specific article focuses on how to create a carousel for Instagram; to learn how to create a carousel post for Facebook, read here. The biggest difference between Instagram and Facebook carousels is that Instagram’s carousel app template is free for users, whereas Facebook’s carousel functionality is only available as an ad format and needs to be budgeted for in your paid social campaign.
What is an Instagram Carousel?
An Instagram carousel is a special type of Instagram post that allows a combination of up to 10 photos and videos. It’s called a carousel because users can cycle through the different images that make it up by swiping left and right. The same functionality exists on Facebook as an ad format.
Download our Social Media Checklist for more tips to guide your social strategy!
Why Creating Carousels is Good for Your Business’s Social Media Strategy
People in the social media world often ask: Do carousels perform better than other posts? The short and simple answer is yes. Let’s take a look at the statistics behind this.
Studies show that telling customers to continue swiping left to view the carousel post can increase engagements from 1.83% to 2%. On average, carousel posts reach 1.4x more reach than a regular post on Instagram. Adding multiple slides allows users to view more content on a single post.
Say your business traveled to a convention or conference, one could showcase a multitude of photos of your team enjoying and learning at the specific event. Or, say you’re a makeup company, and want to display your new lines of lipstick. A creative way is to show a carousel post introducing each new lipstick color on a new slide.
A Note About Image Sizes
Before you get started creating your carousel, it’s important to understand the best sizes and formats for your images and videos.
Instagram Photo Sizes
Landscape: 1.91:1 aspect ratio; 1080 x 566 pixels
Square: 1:1 aspect ratio; 1080 x 1080 pixels
Portrait: 4:5 aspect ratio; 1080 x 1350 pixels
Instagram Video Sizes
Length: 3 to 60 seconds
Recommended formats: .mp4 and .mov
Maximum size: 4GB
How to Create a Carousel Post for Instagram
Now that we’ve established Instagram sizes and ratios for video and photos, let’s dive into the easy step-by-step instructions on how to create a successful carousel post.
Step 1
Download the content of what you would like to use for your carousel post onto your phone.
Step 2
Log into your Instagram account.
Step 3
Tap the “+” on the top right corner of the app.
Step 4
Once in the “New Post” section you’ll see “SELECT MULTIPLE.” Select your 10 photos and videos. Click “Next” when you’ve established the 10 items you want to use.
Looking at these photo samples from Pepperland’s own Instagram account, one can identify a carousel post by the double square icon and the 1/# of slides.
Step 5
Write your caption. Click “Share.” And boom, your carousel has been posted. For tips on hashtags to use for your caption and the best time to post on Instagram, subscribe to our blog!
Recapping the Carousel Process
Creating a carousel for your business’s Instagram accounts helps create engaging ads and offers a unique look than your typical post. Carousel posts encourage users to actively swipe and see more content of your business’s products and services.
Does your social strategy need a boost? Partnering with marketing specialists can help! At Pepperland, we specialize in inbound and content marketing and can help your business grow exponentially through our expertise and resources. Contact us today to find out how we can help achieve your goals.
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